I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 36

Enjoyable Conversation

Although I had met Victoria before, I couldn’t have a proper conversation with her because of the Duchess.

In that sense, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this was our first real meeting.

The servant who led me to the room where Victoria was waiting first relayed the general message.

“He is the most outstanding student at Eton [a prestigious British boarding school], so share and discuss the knowledge you have learned so far. It will surely be a valuable experience.”

Knowing what that ‘valuable experience’ really meant, Victoria stared at the ceiling for a moment, then nodded with a knowing smile.

“I understand. It’s the first time my mother has asked me to talk alone with a student my age, so I’m looking forward to it. Killian, was it? Come and sit down.”

As Victoria pointed to the opposite side of her, the servant who brought me bowed slightly and went outside.

“Then I’ll be on my way. I hope you have a beneficial conversation.”

The door closed with a click, but instead of moving, I listened carefully to the movements outside.

As expected, the door closed, but I couldn’t hear the servant’s footsteps fading away.

I guess they told us to have a private conversation but are eavesdropping to hear what we’re saying.

Victoria stared at me, wondering if my behavior seemed strange, and asked.

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“Ah, no. I think my body was a little stiff because of the tension.”

Victoria’s voice would have been heard outside the door, so I deliberately tapped the floor with my shoes to make a noise.

But still, there was no movement from outside the door.

That servant must be having a hard time.

Even if they put their ear close to the door, they would have to be incredibly focused to hear everything we’re saying here.

Of course, I shouldn’t do anything stupid like whispering or creating an unnatural silence to confirm that I’m being watched.

I sat down in the seat Victoria pointed to as naturally as possible.

Looking around, I saw paper and ink in a perfect spot.

A person lacking caution would have used that to have a written conversation, but I’m basically suspicious of everything, so I try not to use tools provided by others.

I brought cards with me in case I had a chance to show magic, so I can use this as a substitute for paper.

I suddenly took out a card and ink from my pocket, wrote a phrase on it, and handed it to Victoria, who was shining with curiosity.

“I apologize for showing you an immature side. I was a little embarrassed because the Duchess suddenly told me to come up.”

-Do you know if a servant is listening to the conversation outside?

Victoria chuckled at the phrase that was completely different from what I said.

At the same time, she glanced at the door as if she was annoyed and slowly shook her head.

“It’s okay. Rather, it’s refreshing for me to talk alone with a student my age for the first time.”

Then she took one of the cards I had and quickly wrote something on it.

“My mother seems very interested in Eton’s education. Actually, I was very impressed when I visited last time.”

-She seems to be a very deep person, just like last time?

Victoria continued to talk, clearly excited, as if this was a novel experience for her.

“Originally, you should start with introductions to ease the awkwardness, but since we both know each other quite well, there’s no need for that. Shall we just ask each other what we’re curious about right away?”

“Yes. The Duchess told me to answer anything you’re curious about to the best of my ability.”

“Well, then shall we continue the story from school last time? I heard that school classes are very strict and demanding, but have you ever felt frustrated or burdened?”

She didn’t write anything down, so I guess this is what she’s really curious about.

“I did at first, but I’m used to it now.”

“I heard that Eton’s classes are also focused on literature and classics? Is that interesting?”

“Actually, it’s a little boring at times, but I’m working hard, thinking it’s a necessary process.”

I was talking as if to show the person listening behind the door, but of course, my hands were drawing words completely different from my mouth.

-To be honest, it’s so boring that I could cry. Please save me.

“Puh-hem, sorry. Sorry for showing you an undignified side. I just choked on my tea.”

Victoria, who was about to burst out laughing, coughed urgently and touched her head.

“Can you tell me what makes literature and classics essential?”

“Politics and society are becoming more complex these days, so you might think that you should focus on learning about that. However, literature and classics are a condensation of the knowledge and ideas that humanity has accumulated over thousands of years. It’s a kind of giant soil. And political and social problems are just the results that sprout from that soil.”

“I see.”

“So it’s important to strengthen the soil first. Just as you can hold more when the container gets bigger, people can learn even more advanced skills like political techniques when the basics are in place.”

-It’s nonsense, so just ignore it. But building up your knowledge will definitely help you later.

“Ah, that’s what you meant. It makes sense when I hear it that way. To be honest, I’ve been feeling frustrated recently, but I feel like my head is clearing up to some extent.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“I heard that Killian is from Ireland and of mixed race. Have you ever been unfairly discriminated against at Eton? If so, please tell me anytime. I’ll ask my mother to use her power.”

“Thankfully, His Grace the Duke of Wellington is taking care of me, so I don’t think anyone is openly trying to discriminate against me. Fortunately, my father’s blood is strong, so I don’t look too much like a mixed race person.”

Of course, you can tell if you look closely, but how often do people stare at your face like that?

Unless you’re sitting alone and staring at each other’s faces like this… Come to think of it, that’s exactly the situation now.

I glanced up and met Victoria’s eyes, who was staring at me.

It could have been an embarrassing situation for a normal girl, but she didn’t hide her curious expression and continued to ask questions.

“What did you talk about with my mother?”

“I was asked to do my best to have a positive influence on you, as you are the most precious person in this country.”

“A positive influence… Like these conversations we’re having now?”

“Of course. It’s the first day today, so I’m not fully prepared, but from next week, I’ll prepare several stories that will really help you.”

Then Victoria’s eyes sparkled even more than before.

The speed of the hand moving the pen was much faster than before.

“I’m looking forward to it. Then next time, shall we talk about Cicero’s collection of speeches?”

-I heard that all sorts of social problems have been breaking out recently. Things like the Factory Act [British laws passed to improve conditions for workers] and discussions about abolishing slavery. Cecilia probably knows a lot more than her niece, so could you please tell me?

As I heard in advance, she is a young lady who is very interested in social issues.

To become a better king in the future, you should naturally expose them to this kind of news from a young age and broaden their thinking.

In a way, if there hadn’t been such a terrible shackle like the Kensington System [a strict and controlling system of education and upbringing], the Victoria of the original history might have become an even greater queen.

I nodded lightly.

“I will prepare anything you want.”

“Really? Thank you.”

-Phew, that’s a relief. I was about to explode because my mother and Lord Conroy kept saying ridiculous things recently. I think I can stand it now.

I heard that she inherited her father’s fiery personality, which no one can stop once she gets going.

Even though we were talking through writing, I almost laughed for a moment because I could see her true nature to some extent.

“I think I’ll be coming every weekend from now on, and I couldn’t ask for anything more if I could be of any help to you. I hope you continue to grow up so wonderfully and become a great queen who will be remembered in this country’s history.”

“Thank you for your kind words. I hope Killian continues to work hard and grow into a great talent who will be indispensable to this country in the future.”

I received her sincere greetings and collected all the papers I had written on and put them in my pocket.

Then I made an appointment to meet again and left the drawing room.

There was no trace of the secret story that only she and I knew left in the room.

* * *

“How was the conversation?”

About an hour after Killian left to see Cecilia.

The Duchess, who had heard from the servant what the two had talked about, smiled and entered the room.

“I felt it when I went to Eton last time, but he’s a really smart and thoughtful student.”

“Really? Was there anything he said that made you feel that way?”

“He compared literature and classics to soil, and it really resonated with me. To be honest, I was worried that I might be too ignorant of the daily lives of the citizens these days, but I don’t think I need to be anxious anymore.”

“I told you. You just have to listen to me and get the education you’re told to get. I’ll make our daughter the best queen in the history of the British Empire, so just trust your mother.”

Normally, her stomach would have been boiling, but this time Victoria calmly brushed off her mother’s words to an extent that even surprised herself.

“Yes. I think I’ve been thinking wrong about a lot of things until now. I’m sorry.”

“Yes, yes. I’m so happy that you understand my heart now. Killian will be coming again next week, so talk about other topics this time.”

“Is that student coming every week from now on?”

“Yes. This is just between us, but if you become queen, it’s good to have a confidant who will move only for you. The more capable they are, the better, but if their background is too strong, they might have other intentions, so someone like him is just right.”

The Duchess felt that everything was going according to her plan and continued to talk non-stop, unable to contain her excitement.

“He’s incredibly smart, but he’s just a mixed race person from Ireland. No matter how hard he tries, there’s a limit to how high he can go. Later, when you become king, if you create a barony [a rank of nobility] in England for him, he’ll probably be overwhelmed with gratitude and be loyal. It’ll be very convenient to have someone like that, so it’ll be helpful to coax him appropriately from now on.”

“That’s a great plan. So you weren’t just unilaterally doing me a favor.”

“Of course not. Victoria, in this world, you can’t trust anyone except your blood relatives. Don’t give that child too much affection and just think of him as a tool to give you useful advice.”

While Victoria was nodding, the Duchess glanced at the stack of papers she had brought in advance, pretending to be as natural as possible.

Did she bring that in advance because she thought we might actually have a written conversation?

Victoria was secretly surprised, as she thought Killian was being unnecessarily fussy.

“Mother.”

“Yes? What’s wrong?”

“If he’s from Ireland and even of mixed race, it would be impossible for him to rise to a high position in this country, right?”

“I told you. And you heard from Cecilia, but that child is illegitimate. Of course, these days, illegitimate children often become legal heirs, but you know how obsessed the upper class of this country is with origin and bloodline, right? That child can never rise above a certain level. Well, if he’s really capable and lucky, he might even be able to get a cabinet position.”

The Duchess added that if she were to bet, she would bet that he wouldn’t even be able to get a cabinet position.

Victoria understood why she had attached Killian to her, even though she had put a surveillance on him.

She wants a smart aristocrat who can control her and instill her own ideology, but most of those people have backgrounds that are too strong.

But Killian is someone who doesn’t have to worry about that, and he has a clear weakness that he has to receive a title from her.

So I guess she thinks of him as a smart dog that she can put a leash on and drag around as she pleases.

Victoria confirmed that there was no trace of the written conversation and muttered quietly towards the back of the Duchess, who was leaving the room triumphantly.

‘But Mother… I’m sorry, but no matter how I look at it, I don’t think he’s someone you can use as a tool.’